OF SELBORNE. 



13 



places they are reduced sixteen or eighteen feet beneath 

 the level of the fields ; and after floods, and in frosts, ex- 

 hibit very grotesque and wild appearances, from the tangled 

 roots that are twisted among the strata, and from the tor- 

 rents rushing down their broken sides ; and especially 

 when those cascades are frozen into icicles, hanging in all 

 the fanciful shapes of frost-work. These rugged gloomy 

 scenes affright the ladies when they peep down into them 



HOLLOW LANE AND BRIDGE, NEAR NORTON. 



from the paths above, and make timid horsemen shudder 

 while they ride along them ; but delight the naturalist with 

 their various botany, and particularly with the curious 

 F 'dices with which they abound. 



The manor of Selborne, was it strictly looked after, with 

 all its kindly aspects, and all its sloping coverts, would 

 swarm with game ; even now, hares, partridges, and 

 pheasants abound ; and in old days woodcocks were as 

 plentiful. There are few quails, because they more affect 



